Monthly Archives: May 2016

June is National Pet Preparedness Month. As June is the first month of summer and hurricane season, this month urges pet owners to make preparations for their dog or cat should an emergency happen. This includes planning for hurricanes, tornados, floods, fires and other natural disasters.

These simple preparations can help keep your pets safe in the event of an emergency.

Identification: A well fitted collar with an I.D. tag attached or personalized with a contact name and phone number is one of the easiest ways for your pet to be returned to you should they get lost or separated.

Awareness of Pets: A window cling or sign will let rescuers know how many and what types of pets you own to conduct a search.

Local Safe Zones: Learn nearby exit routes in your town and the locations of local shelters, pet friendly hotels and friends that can temporarily provide a place of care and safety for your pet.

Keep Calm: Pets can sense your emotions. If you’re worried and stressed, your pet will feel the same. Be as comforting and calm as you can be given the situation.

Pet First Aid Kit: Build an emergency supply kit for your pet that all family members can locate. The kit should be clearly labelled for the pet and easy to carry. Contents should include:

Water and dry pet food to last 3-7 days

Extra pet collars and leashes

Copies of veterinarian and medical records

Bedding

Toys

Disposable garbage bags and disinfectants

Seek Immediate Veterinary Care: Emergency situations can expose your pets to stress, water, smoke and other harmful toxins. Taking your pet to the vet as soon as possible will help reduce further health issues.

Creating a pet preparedness strategy can help keep your entire family safe.

What’s better than taking a walk on a beautiful day with your favorite four-legged friend? When that walk can raise money to fight pet cancer! On May 22, grab a leash and join Morris Animal Foundation’s third annual Unite to Fight Pet Cancer Virtual Walk.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in older dogs and cats. Each year, nearly 12 million dogs and cats are diagnosed with cancer. Despite tremendous improvement in our ability to diagnose and treat pet cancers, we still have a long way to go. Morris Animal Foundation has been a leader in pet cancer research since the foundation funded its first pet cancer study in 1962.

The foundation’s Virtual Walk helps in the fight against pet cancer, and also reminds you of all the benefits of walking your dog daily, including:

Whether you want to walk solo, on a team, or with friends and family, register for our Virtual Walk to help Morris Animal Foundation increase awareness and raise money to help support pet cancer research. Your Virtual Walk can take place “virtually” anywhere you are. You also can ask friends and family to donate to your virtual team. Every dollar that you raise, including your registration fee, will be matched up to $50,000.

Take a walk today! You’ll make a difference not only in your pet’s life, but in the lives of the dogs and cats diagnosed with cancer each year. It doesn’t matter how far or fast you walk, your registration fee adds to the money we can spend on cancer research, bringing us closer to saving more animal lives from pet cancer.

We love our pets year round, but National Pet Month calls for a pause to truly appreciate all the ways pets enrich our lives.

The benefits of owning a pet are endless, but here are the top five reasons for letting a furry friend into your life.

1. According to the American Heart Association owning a pet can help lower the risk of heart disease. Pets may provide social support for their owner, which will help them stick with or adopt healthy behaviors or habits. A pet can help lower stress, which may result in lower blood pressure. People with dogs tend to be more active because of the exercise their pooch requires.

2. Pets can help an owner that is feeling blue through unconditional love. A pet may also give an owner a sense of purpose that will help if they are feeling down. Pets provide companionship, which keeps you from feeling lonely and can improve your overall mood.

3. Having a pet may expose you to more social situations, such as training classes or being out in a park. A pet can provide a topic of conversation when trying to get to know new people. Pets are sometimes used as ice breakers to get a conversation moving.

4. Children growing up with pets benefit in numerous ways. They can learn more ways to express themselves and caring for a pet can help to teach responsibility. Having a pet can improve a child’s immune system and prevent allergies.

5. There is nothing quite like the unconditional love a pet can provide. A pet is willing to play when you’re feeling energetic and adventurous, sit by your side and listen when you need an ear and offer a snuggly cuddle when you’re feeling down. When properly cared for a pet can provide years of companionship, health benefits, love and affection.

Take a moment to show your pet extra love this month with a bonus treat, a few more throws of the ball or five more minutes of cuddle time.